FLASH Synonyms: 327 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'flash' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of flash are gleam , glimmer , glint , glisten , glitter , shimmer , and sparkle . While all these words mean "to send forth light," flash implies a sudden outburst of bright light. // lightning flashed

Q: When is it sensible to use 'gleam' instead of 'flash'?

Although the words gleam and flash have much in common, gleam suggests a steady light seen through an obscuring medium or against a dark background. // lights gleamed in the valley

Q: When could 'glimmer' be used to replace 'flash'?

The words glimmer and flash are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, glimmer suggests a faint or wavering gleam. // a distant glimmering light

Q: Where would 'glint' be a reasonable alternative to 'flash'?

While in some cases nearly identical to flash , glint implies a cold glancing light. // glinting steel

Q: When would 'glisten' be a good substitute for 'flash'?

While the synonyms glisten and flash are close in meaning, glisten applies to the soft sparkle from a wet or oily surface. // glistening wet sidewalk

Q: In what contexts can 'glitter' take the place of 'flash'?

The synonyms glitter and flash are sometimes interchangeable, but glitter connotes a brilliant sparkling or gleaming. // glittering diamonds

Q: When can 'shimmer' be used instead of 'flash'?

The words shimmer and flash can be used in similar contexts, but shimmer means shining with a wavering light. // a shimmering satin dress

Q: When might 'sparkle' be a better fit than 'flash'?

The meanings of sparkle and flash largely overlap; however, sparkle suggests innumerable moving points of bright light. // the sparkling waters

flash 1 of 3

noun

Definition of flash next

as in flurry

a sudden and usually temporary growth of activity a flash of last-minute trips to the grocery store before the onset of the big snowstorm

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in burst

a sudden intense expression of strong feeling a much-needed flash of humor during the otherwise boring lecture

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in minute

a very small space of time the shower will be over in a flash

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in miracle

something extraordinary or surprising the new goalie for our hockey team was apparently quite a flash in his hometown

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in spectacle

excessive or unnecessary display the expensive clothes, the luxury cars, and other apparent signs of success are all flash that belie the fact that the family is up to its ears in debt

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

flash

2 of 3

verb

ˈflash

as in to gleam

to shoot forth bursts of light the actress's diamond necklace flashed as she hurried on stage to accept the award

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to display

to present so as to invite notice or attention flashed a wad of cash as he paid for his dinner

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to twinkle

to shine with light at regular intervals the disco lights flashed, and the revelers danced

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to publish

to make known openly or publicly flashed the news of the royal birth around the world

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

flash

3 of 3

adjective

as in brief

lasting only for a short time flash floods in the local area

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb flash contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of flash are gleam, glimmer, glint, glisten, glitter, shimmer, and sparkle. While all these words mean "to send forth light," flash implies a sudden outburst of bright light.

lightning flashed

When is it sensible to use gleam instead of flash?

Although the words gleam and flash have much in common, gleam suggests a steady light seen through an obscuring medium or against a dark background.

lights gleamed in the valley

When could glimmer be used to replace flash?

The words glimmer and flash are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, glimmer suggests a faint or wavering gleam.

a distant glimmering light

Where would glint be a reasonable alternative to flash?

While in some cases nearly identical to flash, glint implies a cold glancing light.

glinting steel

When would glisten be a good substitute for flash?

While the synonyms glisten and flash are close in meaning, glisten applies to the soft sparkle from a wet or oily surface.

glistening wet sidewalk

In what contexts can glitter take the place of flash?

The synonyms glitter and flash are sometimes interchangeable, but glitter connotes a brilliant sparkling or gleaming.

glittering diamonds

When can shimmer be used instead of flash?

The words shimmer and flash can be used in similar contexts, but shimmer means shining with a wavering light.

a shimmering satin dress

When might sparkle be a better fit than flash?

The meanings of sparkle and flash largely overlap; however, sparkle suggests innumerable moving points of bright light.

the sparkling waters

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of flash

Noun

Dangerous flash flooding, rock slides and debris flows were expected, according to the National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center. —

Lisa Baumann, Fortune, 20 Nov. 2024 That part of the tale is set in motion with a sudden squall – chillingly rendered by thunder cracks (kudos to John Shivers’ sound design) and flashes of lightning (ditto to lighting designer Kevin Adams). —

Greg Evans, Deadline, 19 Nov. 2024

Verb

The first available results from the tiny town of Dixville Notch, N.H., which traditionally votes at midnight on election day, were flashed throughout the day. —

Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2024 Michigan The state that Biden carried with his largest margin among the battlegrounds four years ago was flashing warning signs for the vice president. —

Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024

Adjective

The German figures come a day before the scheduled release of flash inflation data for the euro area, which will be closely watched by investors for guidance on the odds of another interest rate cut from the European Central Bank. —

Sophie Kiderlin, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2024 Residents who live near the intersection where the accident occurred said the flash mobs of street takeovers have become weekly occurrences in their neighborhood. —

Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2022 See all Example Sentences for flash

Recent Examples of Synonyms for flash

Noun

Flashback: Under Trump's first presidency, the FCC rolled back media ownership rules, paving the way for a flurry of local broadcast consolidation.

Avery Lotz, Axios, 18 Nov. 2024
Another fraternity brother shows me photos from two nights before, when snow flurries blanketed the area at night.

Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 7 Nov. 2024

Definition of flurry

Cite this Entry

Style

“Flash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flash. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Last Updated: 30 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences

Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

frugal

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Synonyms of flash

noun

verb

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Examples Sentences

Thesaurus Entries Near flash

Cite this Entry